Vedh & Tara's Trip —
The next morning—
Vedh stood outside Tara's door like he owned the place.
"Good morning, Tara. Get ready," he said casually. "We have a date today."
Tara froze.
"…Huh?" She blinked at him. "Who agreed, bruh?"
Vedh crossed his arms, looking way too confident.
"You did."
"I did not." Tara fought back.
"Yes, you did," he replied smoothly. "I told you before — just say yes, remember? This is what I meant."
Her eyes widened.
"Oh no."
She facepalmed dramatically.
Vedh grinned. "Now you have no choice. Let's leave already, ma'am." He bowed dramatically and offered his hand to her like a gentleman.
"Go away," she said instantly. "I'm not coming anywhere."
Vedh chuckled softly.
"Oh? So you're the type who breaks promises, huh?"
Then she went silent.
She just stared at him.
Blank.
Unblinking.
Then blinked rapidly.
Vedh slowly raised one eyebrow, a lazy smile spreading across his face.
Tara rolled her eyes, scratching her head in frustration.
"Whatever… let me get ready."
Tara stepped out a few minutes later.
Tara was wearing a dark red frock, the soft fabric flowing just above her knees. It fit perfectly around her waist before flowing softly with every step she took. The color wasn't loud — it was deep, rich, the kind of red that quietly demanded attention.
The sleeves were slightly puffed at the shoulders, adding a subtle dramatic touch to the dress. She paired it with sleek black heels, making her look a little taller, a little sharper.
Her hair was left open, falling naturally over her shoulders in soft waves. Minimal makeup — just enough to highlight her features without trying too hard.
But that red?
It did all the work.
It made her look bold. Confident. Almost dangerous to look at for too long.
She didn't look like someone who dressed up to impress.
She looked like someone who walked in… and owned the room without even trying.
Vedh stood there casually in a crisp white shirt and black pants, looking effortlessly put together without even trying. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up carelessly, exposing his forearms. When he adjusted his watch, the veins along his hands became visible — the kind someone could stare at for hours without even realizing it.
His hair was slightly messy, like he had run his fingers through it once and left it that way. Not styled too much. Just natural.
And somehow… that effortless look made him even more dangerous to look at.
His jaw was relaxed, but his Adam's apple moved subtly when he swallowed — a small detail that somehow made it harder to look away.
And his eyes— Calm. Dark.
When he saw her—
For a second, Vedh forgot how to breathe.
He just stood there, staring. Watching her like he knows what exactly he was doing.
Tara met his eyes.
And that was worse.
His gaze didn't move. It slowly traveled from her dress… back to her face… and stayed there.
Vedh clenched his fist slightly, bending his knuckles — the way people do to ward off the evil eye. He even made a small flying kiss gesture in the air and muttered softly, "Thank you, God. Thank you so much."
A faint blush crept up her cheeks. She pressed her lips together, trying to control her smile — but it still escaped.
When Vedh looked at her again, he didn't even try to hide it this time.
"You look gorgeous," he said simply. Tara internally? Chaos.
Her heart was practically screaming. Calm down. CALM DOWN.
But outside?
She just blinked and nodded like it was nothing.
"Hmm."
Then Vedh casually extended his arm toward her, turning slightly as if presenting himself.
Clearly waiting for a compliment.
Tara raised an eyebrow and slowly looked him up and down — taking her sweet time.
Vedh waited, looking very pleased with himself.
Then she shrugged.
"What?" she said flatly. "You look dumb as always."
Vedh smirked and rolled his eyes, mumbling under his breath, "Whatever."
And with that, he turned and started walking ahead.
Tara followed behind him, trying to act normal. After a few steps, she secretly clenched her fist the same way he had, quietly warding off the evil eye. "Thank you, God," she whispered in her heart, even giving a tiny flying kiss in the air — just like he did. Vedh didn't see it.
Then she paused.
Wait… Tara. What happened to you?
She lightly slapped her own cheek and snapped back to reality. "Okay, Tara. Control yourself," she muttered under her breath. But she didn't hate this feeling.
Not even a little.
Just then, Vedh's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Are you sure you can manage with those heels? You might have a problem later," Vedh said, glancing at her shoes.
"Naah, I can manage," Tara replied confidently.
"Hmm… okay then."
They walked into a small, cozy restaurant not too far away. The place was warm and lively — soft music playing in the background, people chatting, waiters rushing between tables with plates clinking everywhere.
Vedh casually held the door open for her… then pulled out a chair for her to sit.
Tara paused for a second, looked at him suspiciously… then rolled her eyes and sat down anyway.
"Wow," she muttered. "Such gentleman behavior today."
Vedh leaned back in his chair, looking very pleased with himself. A proud smirk spread across his face.
"I'm always a gentleman," he said casually. "Born gentleman. You just didn't realize it because of La—"
He stopped immediately.
Tara slowly looked up at him, glaring.
"Hmm," she said shortly, clearing her throat.
The moment passed, but the tension lingered for a second before a waiter walked up to their table.
Vedh ordered breakfast — pancakes, eggs, coffee… and extra syrup for Tara without even asking her.
Tara immediately looked up.
"Excuse me? Who said I wanted that?"
Vedh shrugged casually. "You always do."
She stared at him for a moment… then quietly closed the menu.
"Fine," she muttered. "But that doesn't mean you're right."
Vedh smiled softly.
What started as breakfast slowly turned into lunch without either of them noticing.
Tara only realized how much time had passed when the plates on the table changed for the second time.
While the date was going surprisingly well…
Tara suddenly paused mid-conversation and quietly bent down for a second, adjusting the strap of her heel under the table.
When she sat back up, she tried to continue talking like nothing happened.
Vedh noticed. Of course he did.
His eyes briefly dropped to her shoes before he looked back at her.
Tara immediately narrowed her eyes at him.
"What?"
Vedh lifted a finger slightly. "Don't say it."
Tara raised her hands innocently. "I didn't say anything."
Vedh leaned back in his chair.
"You were about to."
She shrugged. "Maybe."
Tara suddenly groaned and dropped her head back in frustration.
"Ughhh! I hate these heels, Vedh!" she cried dramatically.
Vedh immediately facepalmed.
"I told you not to wear them," he said, shaking his head.
Then he stood up, grabbing his keys from the table.
"Come on. Let's go to the beach."
Tara blinked. "The beach?"
Vedh nodded toward her shoes.
"You can take those torture devices off there."
Tara's eyes instantly lit up.
She nodded quickly and stood up. "Okay. Now that's a good idea."
The moment they reached the beach, Tara immediately kicked off her heels and ran toward the shore, holding them in one hand.
"Aah… peace," she sighed in relief, wiggling her toes in the cool sand.
Vedh chuckled as he walked up behind her.
"I told you not to wear them."
"Oh please," Tara shot back, turning to him. "I wore them because my dress looks good with these heels."
Vedh raised both hands dramatically.
"Whoa, okay. Why are you yelling at me now? See? I gave you peace. My idea."
He said proudly with a satisfied smile.
Tara rolled her eyes at him.
Vedh immediately rolled his eyes right back at her.
"Unbelievable," Vedh muttered dramatically. "I save your poor feet and this is the appreciation I get."
He pouted slightly. "No gratitude at all."
Tara just nodded, barely listening to him.
She was far too busy enjoying the feeling of the cool sand under her feet.
They spent the evening watching the beautiful sunset. The sky slowly turned shades of orange and pink as the sun dipped lower toward the horizon.
The breeze grew cooler, waves rolling gently onto the shore.
And then—
As if the universe decided to mess with her again…
Small raindrops began to fall from the sky.
Tara slowly turned her head and looked at Vedh with a completely blank expression.
"Your plan," she said flatly, clearly annoyed.
Vedh blinked at her in shock.
"What?!" he said. "Am I supposed to control the weather too?"
He looked up at the sky and then back at her.
"I didn't even know it was going to rain!"
He barely finished speaking when the rain suddenly came pouring down harder, completely out of nowhere.
Within seconds, the light drizzle turned into heavy rain, soaking everything around them.
Tara immediately made a disgusted face.
"Eww! This is disgusting," she yelled, lifting her foot as the wet sand stuck everywhere.
Wet sand stuck to her feet, and the cold water made it even worse.
"Great," she muttered. "Wet feet, wet dress, wet hair… and sand everywhere. Amazing."
"Ugh… this is so annoying," she groaned.
Vedh stood beside her, watching carefully.
He was low-key scared to even bring up the heels topic.
"Ta… Ta-Tara…" he said cautiously.
"What?" she snapped, clearly frustrated.
Vedh cleared his throat.
"Uh… we can't start the car yet. The rain's coming down too hard."
Tara glared at him.
"Yeah? So?"
Vedh pointed across the road.
"There's a small shelter over there. We might have to cross the road and wait there until the rain slows down."
Tara narrowed her eyes.
Vedh quickly added, "Just wear the heels for a minute until we cross the road—"
Then he paused and suddenly stepped closer.
"Actually… I could just carry you. That might be easier."
He leaned forward slightly, about to lift her.
Smack.
Tara slapped him.
Vedh froze, slowly turning his head back toward her while rubbing his cheek.
He inhaled sharply and scrunched his nose.
"What did I do?" he muttered, sulking slightly.
Tara just glared at him.
Vedh immediately raised his hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay… nothing. Nothing."
He nodded quickly.
"So… should we go?"
Tara sighed in defeat and reluctantly put the heels back on.
By the time they stepped off the beach, she already looked completely done with life.
The rain kept getting heavier, so they quickly ran toward a small nearby shop to take shelter until it stopped.
Tara sat on a chair with an extremely annoyed face, arms crossed tightly.
Vedh pulled a chair and sat in front of her.
He slipped his hand into his pocket, pulled out a handkerchief, and looked up at her.
"May I?" he asked.
Tara frowned. "May I what?"
Vedh tilted his head slightly. "Remove your heels."
"Huh? Why?" she replied quickly. "I can do it myself."
Vedh shook his head.
"Nah, look at you. You're already annoyed. Now if that sand sticks to your hands too, you'll turn into Mad Max."
Tara rolled her eyes. "It's fine, Vedh. Just leave it."
"Oh? Okay then," he said, leaning back casually. "Stay like that the whole time."
Tara groaned dramatically.
"Arghhh! Why, God, why me all the time?"
Vedh chuckled softly at her cute frustration.
"Okay, okay. Relax."
Before she could stop him, Vedh knelt down in front of her — right there in the middle of the shop.
Ignoring the curious looks around them, he carefully removed her heels.
Then he gently brushed the sand off her feet with the handkerchief.
Tara had originally planned to annoy him.
But now?
She couldn't help falling for him a little more.
She just sat there… staring.
Completely still.
Huh… is this man for real?
Her gaze slowly moved upward.
His white shirt was completely soaked from the rain, the fabric clinging to him and turning slightly see-through. The outline of his shoulders, his chest, the shape of his arms — everything was suddenly… very visible.
His hair was damp too, strands falling loosely over his forehead.
And somehow—
He looked ridiculously hot.
Tara's brain quietly stopped working.
She didn't even realize her mouth had opened a little.
Her eyes just stayed there.
Staring.
Very obviously staring.
Poor Tara tried to fix her expression… but it was too late.
Vedh finished brushing the sand off her feet and stood up.
When he looked at her—
She was still staring at his chest like her soul had temporarily left her body.
Vedh slowly waved a hand in front of her face.
"Whoa there… what exactly are you staring at, Miss Tara?"
"Nothing," she said quickly.
Still staring.
"Tara," he said, snapping his fingers lightly.
She blinked.
Then blinked again.
Like someone who had just returned from another dimension.
"Huh?"
Vedh raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
"What are you staring at?"
Tara's eyes widened immediately.
"N–nothing!"
She looked away so fast it almost gave her whiplash.
Vedh chuckled softly. "What? Impressed by my amazing body?" he said dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. "Please… stop staring. I'm shy."
Tara immediately panicked.
"W–what?! I wasn't staring! I didn't see anything, I promise!"
Vedh raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying this.
"Oh really?" he said. "Your mouth says otherwise."
He grabbed a tissue from the table and held it toward her, still laughing.
"You're literally drooling here, Tara."
Tara's face turned red instantly.
"I'm not!" she said quickly, pushing his hand away. "I don't need it."
Vedh shook his head, smirking.
"You definitely look like you do."
Tara rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Whatever," she muttered.
She snatched the tissue from his hand and quickly wiped her mouth, trying to act normal.
But without realizing it…
Her eyes drifted right back to him.
Right back to his soaked shirt.
Vedh noticed immediately.
He slowly waved his hand in front of her face, trying not to laugh.
"Tara…"
No response.
He waved again.
"You're still staring."
He facepalmed dramatically, shaking his head while laughing.
"Okay, okay… stop looking at me like that, You're actually making me shy, Tara. Give me a break."
Tara's eyes widened in horror when she realized she had been caught again.
"Uhm— excuse me!" she blurted out quickly, standing up so fast the chair scraped the floor. "I think I need to use the washroom. I'll just… come back."
And before he could say anything—
She ran.
Literally ran for her life.
Vedh watched her disappear around the corner, still laughing to himself.
"Unbelievable," he muttered, shaking his head with a grin.
Then he leaned back in his chair.
But the smile slowly softened.
"Cute," he murmured quietly.